Beyond Cuckoo

“The President of Mexico and I have cancelled our meeting set for next week.” Wolf Blitzer and his Situation Room’s coverage of Donald Trump’s latest presidential decree caught River’s eye as she slid onto the bar stool nearest the TV. The president’s insistence that a wall would be built along the U.S./Mexican border and that “one way or the other” Mexico would pay, had been the topic of discussion all day at the irrigation canal site.
“What can I get for you?”
River pulled her attention from the newscast and focused on the caramel brown eyes that had asked the question. “What do you have on tap?” was all she could think of to say, even though she really wanted something stronger than a beer.
Mr. Brown Eyes set a cold mug of the local lager on the bar.
“Nice color,” River said. “Same color as your eyes.”
“So I’ve been told,” replied the bartender as he set a bowl of pepitas next to the beer.
“What do you think of this wall idea?” River asked with a nod towards the broadcast.
“It’s gettin’ folks’ attention, that’s for sure.”
“Can I ask your name?” River decided that political insanity could take back seat to her current interest behind the bar.
“Clancy, Clancy Reynolds. Yours?”
“River, River Agosto.”
“That’s an interesting name, “Clancy laughed. “Are you a water sign?”
“No, but I do work for a water engineering company—been out in the field all day taking soil samples.”
“So, you’re one of them. Excuse me I’ve got other customers.” Clancy tossed a paper coaster in front of the woman that now sat a few stools away. “How’s it going Nora?”
“Do me a favor Clancy and turn on Channel 98, I think we made the news today.”
A few remote clicks filled the flat screen showing a portion of wall under construction in Sunland, New Mexico. A few protestors held banners with pictures of Mexican wolves. The few minute spot featured Nora explaining the effects that an expanded border wall would have on local wildlife, especially Los Lobos.
“We didn’t get a whole lot of coverage, but at least it’s something. We’ve been trying to lure the last twenty or so wolves north, but they’re playing hard to get. I don’t know what we’ll be able to do if we can’t.”
Clancy set a beer in front of Nora and jerked his head toward River. “Well this lady here, is helping the corporates to build more canals.”
River stiffened. “So, tell me what’s wrong with that? You people need water, no?”
Nora held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Nora Freedman, I work for the local freebie paper and volunteer for the Environmental Center.”
River shook the welcoming hand. “I’m River, River Agosto and like this bar keep said I work for Global Engineering and was sent to see if more canals will meet EPA standards. I’m not the bad guy, just a worker bee.”
“Look, there isn’t bad or good in the desert, only survival. Viewpoints differ, but it all ultimately comes down to water rights and distribution. We’ve been restoring wetlands with some success, but the Rio Grande is a puddle most of the year and we’re trying to reverse the trend. Today our focus was on the wolves. There are only about 100 left and we hope to reverse their extinction.”
“So, are you involved with this effort?” River touched Clancy’s hand that rested on the bar.
“Yeah, I’ve done some dirt work in the wetlands. When my Mom was a girl there were fish and beaver in both the river and the ponds. The dams and canals now send most of the water to El Paso for the cotton farmers.”
River finished off her beer and realized she needed to report in with the office. Rochelle threatened to can her ass if she didn’t keep in touch—especially since Dusty was still missing.
“Look, this has been very interesting and all, but I gotta go.” River had hoped to smooth things over with Clancy before she left, but that would have to wait. Her gut said to stay away from him, but those eyes. . .